Premier League clubs have been put off the signing of Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez. The Mexican international is demanding £140,000-a-week in wages, or around £7.3 million a season.
West Ham have been the club most linked to Hernandez, but have now cooled their interest due to his high asking price. Although Hernandez’s transfer fee would cost West Ham just £13m, the team would pay over £20m in total fees this year alone.
Bayer Leverkusen want to sell the striker before losing him on a free transfer next summer, as the Mexican’s contract will expire in the summer of 2018. While West Ham are currently baulking at a move for Hernandez, Tottenham could step in to purchase the Mexican as a backup to Harry Kane.
West Ham may turn their attention to Burnley player Andre Gray if Hernandez doesn’t lower his demands.
Chelsea are also thought to be after the Mexican after losing out on Romelu Lukaku, but Torino’s Andrea Belotti is currently at the top of their transfer target list.
Hernandez is believed to be interested in signing with Major League Soccer team Los Angeles FC, who will begin play in the league next season. MLS teams are not known for paying large sums of money in transfer fees, and LA will attempt to land the Mexican on a free transfer. Reports indicate the club would make Hernandez the highest paid player in the league at £6.98m ($9m). Recently, photos circulated of Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez with several Los Angeles Dodgers baseball players, fuelling speculation he will end up in the City of Angels.